Kuala Lampur, May 23 -- Imagine cruising along the PLUS highway on a quiet morning. As you pass forested stretches near Tapah, something unusual catches your eye.

The trees lining the road, usually cloaked in deep green, are now tinged with pale yellow, cream, or soft pink. You wonder, is this Malaysia's version of spring?

What you've just seen may be a glimpse of one of South-east Asia's rarest and most spectacular phenomena: General flowering.

As yesterday was the International Day for Biodiversity, it's the perfect moment to shine a light on this little-known natural wonder, especially since it happens right here in our tropical rainforests.

General flowering isn't your typical blooming season. It doesn't occur every year, and ther...